Zion Williamson Scores 22 Points in Pelicans' Season-Opening Loss to Pacers

Zion Williamson recorded 22 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals on Wednesday night as the New Orleans Pelicans dropped a tight 123-120 season opener to the Indiana Pacers. Williamson shot 7-of-16 from the field and converted all six of his free throw attempts while also hitting two three-pointers.

The game showcased familiar struggles for the Pelicans, who faced similar late-game issues that plagued them throughout the previous season. New Orleans struggled to protect the paint and execute effectively in the closing minutes, ultimately finishing the night 0-1 in clutch game situations after going 12-30 in such contests last year.

Despite the final outcome, Williamson provided a bright spot by expanding his shooting range. After hitting just one of four attempts from beyond the arc across 62 games last season, Williamson drained two three-pointers on Wednesday. His second-quarter buzzer-beater baskets energized the home crowd and helped build a 10-point halftime lead for New Orleans.

The momentum shifted in the second half as the Pacers dominated the interior. Indiana outscored the Pelicans 64-48 in the restricted area and put New Orleans in early foul trouble. Pacers forward Pascal Siakam led all scorers with 30 points, including eight consecutive points in the game's final four minutes to seal the victory.

Tyrese Haliburton also fueled the Indiana comeback, scoring 16 of his 23 points in the second half. While Williamson and Dejounte Murray combined for 10 points in the final period, Haliburton and Siakam proved to be too much for the New Orleans defense to handle down the stretch.

The Pelicans had a final opportunity to tie the game in the waning seconds with the shot clock off. Williamson secured a rebound and attempted a deep three-pointer after using a pump fake to get a defender off his feet, but the shot resulted in an air ball, preserving the win for the Pacers.

Looking ahead, the New Orleans Pelicans will look to bounce back and secure their first win of the young season when they travel to Utah to face the Jazz on Friday night.